4-H To Hold Tractor Safety Certification Classes April 14-16

March 30, 2014

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County's 4-H Youth Development Program will conduct a Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Certification Course for area youth age 14 and older. Sessions include both classroom-style lessons and hands-on opportunities for all participants. Experiences learned in this course will help prevent injury and save lives.

The Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture law states, in summation, that all 14-15-year-old youth who are seeking employment in the agricultural industry must receive the training as required by the U.S. Department of Labor. The only exemption is for youth working on their own farm. The HOOA was originally promulgated in January 1968. When youth become 16 years of age, this law no longer applies to their employment; however certification provides valuable knowledge and safety tips for all ages. You can learn more about state regulations by visiting the U.S. Department of Labor's Youth and Labor: Agricultural employment Web page: www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/agriculturalemployment

Agriculture is a very dangerous industry and at many agricultural worksites there are hazards associated with:

Article Photos

Pictured below students in a previous class had the opportunity to investigate, ask questions, and learn more about various equipment and implements at the Hewes BOCES Center Conservation Division.

Equipment operation

Crop and livestock production

Agricultural Buildings

Chemical use and storage

Highway transportation

Tractor Safety Certification Training will prepare a student for dealing with the hazards and risks in agriculture. Certification also provides youth greater opportunity in obtaining employment. Cornell Cooperative Extension's 4-H Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Course instructs participants in a safe and welcoming environment that fosters growth, insight and learning. This course not only allows youth to drive a tractor and trailer, but requires that they also learn the correct and safe way to hook-up to farm equipment, back up trailers, and drive farm machinery. Each student will complete their certification requirements, which include classroom time, homework and 10 hours of driving experience. Driving experiences for this course is annually made possible with the help of the following equipment dealerships Z&M Ag and Turf in Falconer and Clymer; Rammelt & Sons in Westfield; and Hewes BOCES in Ashville.

Registration is now open for this Tractor Safety Certification Course. It cost $45 per participant. The course is open to anyone over 14 years of age. Classroom work will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 16, at the Hewes BOCES center in Ashville. The driving course work will be assigned based on participants locations and availability. For complete registration details please contact the 4-H Office at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County at 664-9502, ext.214.

Instructors for this course will be Dennis Wright, workforce development facilitator at Hewes BOCES in Ashville, with driving portions taught by Rodney Ruttenbur of Z&M Ag and Turf in Falconer, Dave Wade of Z&M Ag and Turf in Clymer, and Dan Rammelt of Rammelt & Sons in Westfield. A special thank you to volunteer instructors and coordinators who continually help make Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Course opportunity available to youth.

For more information about educational opportunities available through Cornell Cooperative Extension please call the Chautauqua County Office at 664-9502.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. CCE-Chautauqua is a community-based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.